DUBAI // If a person is trapped in a vehicle after a road accident, the speed and efficiency with which police can remove them can be the difference between life and death.
Unfortunately, on the UAE’s roads, such incidents happen on an almost daily basis, said Maj Khaled Al Hammadi, head of difficult missions at Dubai Transport Police.
On Monday, police held a vehicle rescue demonstration as part of Intersec, the security, safety, and fire protection trade show at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
About 50 people watched as police officers showed off their new hydraulic equipment and dismantled the top half of a white Chevrolet within minutes.
“These new rescue tools run completely on batteries but have the same power as tools that work on petrol,” said Maj Al Hammadi, who was one of the three officers who carried out the demonstration.
“These tools are more compact, easier to transport and, most importantly, environmentally friendly.”
He said the batteries, which last up to 45 minutes, are designed to maintain the same power for as long as the rescue tool is being used.
“As soon as the battery finishes, the tool shuts down instead of gradually slowing down, and we replace it with an extra one and have a recharge generator with us,” he said.
During the demonstration, police used a cutter, spreader, ram and mini-cutter, all of which are part of the environmentally friendly Holmatro Greenline range.
Shadi Khayyat, an engineer with Corodox Agencies, the company that sells the tools in the region, said the equipment reduced the health risks for rescuers and victims because all the products are emission-free.
“The difference between these tools and those that were previously used is that these can be used in confined spaces, in areas where there is hazardous material. At the same time, they are silent,” he said.
“Petrol-run tools make noise, which can add stress to an already stressful situation for the victim and the rescuer. We have had a long-standing relationship with Dubai Police, who we also train for these situations.”
Maj Al Hammadi said people who were trapped in vehicles were already traumatised, which is why it was always imperative that police were able to rescue them as quickly and as safely as possible.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
